Page 30 of The Slayer Seduction

Iris

My heart feels like it’s in my throat as I wait to hear from Scarlett.

I can’t even fathom what I would do if something had happened to Ember. The Slayer had been in my home this whole time and he didn’t mention that my friend was in danger. It has me ready to curse him into next week.

He looks defeated as he sits there, saying nothing. Instead I just hold my wand up at him, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

Scarlett pops back into the room with a relieved breath. “She’s at her cottage, alone, mistress, but I could scent a vampire.”

“Stay here, make sure he doesn’t go anywhere,” I say.

The Slayer’s deep depths meet mine, and his face looks remorseful as he speaks. “I did not mean to displease you, my Iris. It’s hard for me to understand mortal bonds and I did not realize what she truly meant to you. I will do better. I’m your mate and I only wish to bring you happiness. As soon as I’m able, I’ll hunt down the vampire who poses a threat to your friend and I’ll make sure my aim is true this time.”

I sigh, because this man/being is so complicated and I don’t know what to do with him. He’s clearly not familiar with life in the twenty-first century or dealing with humans in general.

Though the most difficult thing is what I haven’t even voiced to Scarlett. This tug in my gut that wants me to touch the Slayer. He’s been in my home for days and there have been so many times I wanted to check on him and make sure that he’s okay.

I don’t like not having control over this matter and I’m not sure what to do about it. The wards haven’t kicked him out, he means me no harm, but yet, he’s doing harm and he doesn’t understand it.

Instead of responding to him, I give Scarlett a sharp look, letting her know that she can’t be charmed by the Slayer. I head to Violet’s clinic first, knowing that I might need backup.

She’s startled when I enter her workspace.

“Iris. Is everything alright?” she questions and I glance around the room, grateful that no one else is here.

“When’s the last time you spoke to Ember?”

“A few days ago. I was planning on seeing the both of you tonight at the moon ritual. Why, what’s wrong?”

I sigh under my breath. “More like what isn’t wrong. We need to go see her. Right now,” I say, and Violet doesn’t second guess me as we portal to Ember’s cottage.

My fist is balled up tight as I bang it against the door. I can hear the shuttering of garden fairies as I pound against the door.

When Ember opens the door she looks…not how I expected.

“I didn’t realize you two were coming here first?” she says in a jovial tone, and Violet looks at me like I’m possibly losing it.

“Where have you been?” I ask, looking around the house, seeing if there are any signs of anything off-putting. There’s the slightest splotch of blood on the floor as I look back at Ember. “You’re alright?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she says, tilting her head.

But I’ve known Ember my whole life. I know when she’s lying. Her cheeks are pink, her back is ramrod straight, and she’s almost definitely hiding something from me.

“She’s in love with a vampire! She’s been compelled. Exorcise her from his evilness,” a fairy screeches in a high-pitched voice and I have to stop myself from swatting her away.

“Fuck,” I hiss.

This is far worse than what the Slayer told me and I’m not sure what we need to do next.

I think it would have been easier if a vampire was coming after her. Not if she was in love with one. Especially the one that the Slayer seems very adamant about killing.

“What did that fairy just say?” Violet asks, confused and sweet.

Fuck. Everything is going to have to come out into the open now.

Ember is already involved whether she knows it or not.

“Okay. Yeah. So we’re just going to rip off this Band-Aid then,” Ember says, not even knowing the half of the whirlwind of shit we’re in right now. “Did you know vampires could have mates?”